Sampling With The Sharks, Part 2

Mr. Tortora spent a few minutes speaking with me about the passion of the Sharks fans, and wanted to know who my favorite player was.  I told him Joe Thornton, and he wanted to make sure that I had gotten the opportunity to meet Joe.  I assured him that I had, and as a matter of fact, he stopped on his way to go elsewhere to take a picture with me and Owen Nolan.  How nice was that?

Thanks so much to the Sharks for reaching out and doing events like this for their fans.  It's a wonderful opportunity, and the memories I have from the four events I've attended are treasured by me.  I can honestly say that no sport is better represented by its players, coaches and staff.  I apologize if my blogs about this are a little sappy, but it's rare when there are days that are nothing but nice and enjoyable, and you get to spend it with people who appreciate your passion and support.  Wouldn't it be nice if days like this happened more often for all of us?

Sampling With The Sharks Part 1

Last night was one of my favorite nights of the year -- attending "Sampling With The Sharks."  Each year, the Sharks Foundation holds this fundraiser where fans can attend and sample local wines and champagnes, as well as appetizers and other dishes.  This is the fourth consecutive year I've attended the fundraiser, and each year provides special memories that are captured in some way with the pictures taken by kind people who help me out, since I attend the event alone.  The last few years, I found a few ladies who also attend the event every year, and they generously help out and take pictures for me.  Hockey fans are as nice as the players, coaches, announcers and front office people are!  There were a few players and announcers unable to attend, and they were missed.  Drew Remenda and Jamie Baker weren't there, as well as the four Olympians, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Joe Pavelski, Antti Niemi and Patrick Marleau.  I'm guessing Tomas Hertl was unable to attend since he isn't 21! 

However, the Sharks who attended were so personable and great with the fans.  There were a few people I was able to meet for the first time last night -- Brodie Brazil from CSN-CA, Raffi Torres, Larry Robinson, Owen Nolan and John Tortora, Sharks COO.  All of these gentlemen were a pleasure to speak with.  I wish I had been able to get a picture with Raffi, but I didn't meet up with the other ladies until after I saw Raffi.  John Tortora and his wife, Debbie, couldn't have been nicer.  Debbie took the picture of me with Todd McLellan, Sharks head coach. 

Olympic Hockey

Tomorrow brings the game for the gold medal in hockey.  I will admit that my heart hasn't been invested in Olympic hockey.  And, although I didn't enjoy seeing the US hockey team get completely dominated by the Finnish hockey team, I am very happy for Teemu Selanne.  He's not a popular player with Sharks fans, because he chose to leave the team many years ago.  He left during the Dean Lombardi era, and the Sharks weren't a good team when he chose to leave.  I blame Lombardi far more for Selanne's departure than I do Teemu.  Everyone in hockey, though, has said that Selanne is not only one of the most talented hockey players, but one of the nicest.  I can't help but be happy for his success.  The fact that players like he and Jagr, who are both over 40, can compete and play so well is a testament to their dedication to the game, and talent.  So, congratulations on your bronze medal, Teemu, and thanks for entertaining so many fans over your long career. 

One of the reasons for my passion for the Sharks is that I've attended "Sampling With The Sharks" the previous 3 years.  I will attend my 4th on Monday, and I can't wait.  Having met so many players, coaches and announcers over the last 3 years, there isn't a nicer group of people anywhere.  For a $225 donation to the Sharks Foundation, you have 2 hours to meet and take pictures with the entire team, and sample wine and appetizers in the area.  The donation is a bargain for the memories this event has given me, with wonderful conversations with everyone from Greg Jamison, former owner, to Todd McLellan, the Sharks fantastic head coach.  I can actually look forward to a Monday for a change! 

Super Bowl Sunday

Today, football is king.  I, along with many others, will watch the Super Bowl.  I like football, always have, but it doesn't approach hockey in my heart.  However, since I'm a bitter San Francisco 49ers fan, I have a strong rooting interest for the Denver Broncos.  I've always liked Peyton Manning anyway, so I would love to see him win today's game.  (Anyone who saw him on SNL can appreciate that he has a great sense of humor and is a truly funny guy.) 

Enjoy the game, and tomorrow my heart is back to hockey and the Sharks!

First Hockey Blog

After briefly attempting an animal blog a few years ago, I'm going to re-enter the blog world, mostly posting about one of my greatest passions in life, hockey.  I was introduced to hockey by my husband in 1988, when Wayne Gretzky was traded to the LA Kings.  We made frequent trips to LA to visit family, and when Wayne arrived in LA, I was told I needed to see the Babe Ruth of hockey.  So, sitting in nosebleed seats at the LA Forum, I fell in love with the game.  When the San Jose Sharks became part of the NHL in 1991, they became my team.  I was fortunate enough to see Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux play in person, and I quickly understood why both were such amazing players.  The Sharks, though, are probably my greatest passion.  I love watching my team play, and when they win, it's a great game, and when they don't, it's not so good.  My favorite player is Joe Thornton, but I really have a lot of favorite players on the Sharks, including Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture and Brent Burns.  So, here I'll document my happiness and frustrations during the season, and general commentary.  Here's to bringing the Stanley Cup to San Jose in 2014! 

Oh, and my one frustration tonight -- why does Comcast Sportsnet put pretty faces on between periods of the hockey game, but they don't know the hockey players names?  Last month, one of the commentators flubbed a name, and tonight, the commentator called Claude Giroux "Claude Giraud."  I'd love to have a hockey job, and it would be nice if the people they employ would know the game and the players. 

That's blog #1.  I'm Jan and thanks for reading!